Last Sunday saw the third race in the Three Counties Cross Country League, with Bigglewade AC fielding a team of 18 to take on the hilly, muddy trails of Baldock. After a shaky start to the season for BAC men (having been short on numbers due to availability clashes) and taking a hit on scoring positions in the first race, the team had a solid turnout for this one. Conditions were good, albeit gusty as a result of the exposed nature of the course and quite claggy underfoot in places following the recent rain which made for some interesting balancing gymnastics. The 5 mile course had a few testing climbs, the first one kicking in after 1/2 mile so as to wake everyone up and then a series of short sharp ones to battle. But what must go up, must come down and there was some light relief as runners ran downhill to finish the first loop and circled back on the second final lap.
Working together, Nick Sinclair and Rob Morgan were able to secure respectable 40th and 42nd positions, respectively. Nick came away with 9th in his age category and Rob 3rd place in his - this follows on from Rob's 2nd placing at the previous race at Delapre Park last month. Biggleswade welcomed another new team member, Phil Rowlett, running his first cross country in the blue and yellow vest. Phil had a good run to come in 83rd overall and 13th his in age category. Neil Warren, Samuel Wall, Alastair Nelson, Richard Hill and Giles Hawthorne made up the remaining scoring positions for the men's team. The team were further boosted by Charlie Arnold, Jake Genever, Damien Pitts, Stuart Highland and Ian Grimwood with their finishing positions pushing other competing teams' scorers further down in the results. Both Charlie and Ian also achieved commendable age category placings, Charlie coming 4th and Ian 5th.
For the BAC women, Nicky Upperton put in another star turn, building on her top 5 placings across the races so far to come away with 5th female overall and 2nd in her age category. Another one to have a great run was Rosanna Bartlett who was 9th female and 3rd in her age category. Jackie Warren, who was 16th in her age category, and Amy Genever completed the scoring, with recent cross country convert Bev Strong bolstering the BAC women's team.
BAC team results for the Baldock race saw the men achieve 11th, the women 10th and a combined position of 11th. Biggleswade AC currently stand at 13th in the League, with men 13th and women 9th.
Full league results are published on the Three Counties Cross Country League website.
The Three Counties Cross Country league runs from October to February, comprising of five races each month. All races are off-road and routes are typically along trails and footpaths through woodland, parkland or around farmland. It's a fun, social league solely based on finishing position rather than time. And as a reward, refreshments (including cake) are served afterwards for all runners. If you'd like to know more and are interested in taking part - it's not too late! Please contact
(Photo credit: Emma Bell)